Iraq worst bomb attack claims over 70; toll ascending

By: Hamoud Kufi

BAQOUBAH, Iraq: An explosives-packed vehicle blew up on a busy downtown boulevard in Baqoubah on Wednesday shredding a bus full of passengers, nearby police station and a market and leaving over 70 people – mostly civilians - dead and dozens wounded.

The blast also came a month to the day after the interim government took back sovereignty, and three days before a major political conference to chart Iraq's future.

According to Health Ministry official more than 70 were killed in the blast shortly after 10 a.m. (0600 GMT) in Baqubah, an often violent town 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad. She said the toll was expected to rise further.

It was the worst death toll from a single bomb attack in Iraq since a blast outside the holy Shrine of Imam Ali (pbuh) in the holy city of Najaf last August claimed more than 100 people.

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